WAG falling out reportedly behind Smith’s split with Cronk, Slater

Queensland State of Origin player Billy Slater speaks to media on arrival at Melbourne Airport ahead of State of Origin I in Melbourne, Monday, June 4, 2018. Veteran Queensland superstar Billy Slater has been ruled out of Wednesday's State of Origin series opener at the MCG with a hamstring injury. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVINGSource:AAP

QUEENSLAND captain Billy Slater has addressed reports of broken relationships between the Melbourne Storm’s “Big Three” and their partners.

Just a few days out from State of Origin III, Slater was forced to respond to claims that a falling-out between his own wife Nicole and teammate Cameron Smith’s wife Barbara is responsible for the relationship breakdowns surrounding himself, Smith and former teammate Cooper Cronk.

Widespread reports have blown the lid off superstar Smith’s reportedly broken relationships with Slater and Cronk since the Roosters halfback’s cold handshake with Smith in Adelaide last round.

The real depth of the sad falling out was revealed on Sunday when The Sydney Morning Herald’s Danny Weidler reported Barb Smith and Nicole Slater fell out during the 2017 season before they all went into camp during the 2017 World Cup, which included a retreat at a Fijian resort with all the Kangaroos players’ partners and children.

Slater responded to the report on Monday by insisting he remains “OK with everyone”.

“I’ve got no problems with Cam,” Slater said from the Maroons’ camp on the Gold Coast.

“Cam and I are fine, Cooper and I are fine.

“I’m not going to stand here and gossip about other people’s relationships. As far as I’m concerned, I’m OK with everyone.”

He also refused to answer follow-up questions surrounding his relationship with Smith away from the football field.

Melbourne Storm best and fairest. Cameron and Barb SmithSource:News Limited

The Sunday report indicated Slater has attempted to repair his strained relationship with Smith, but was shut-out by his skipper.

“The fact that Smith is offside with two of his best mates, Cronk and Slater, is the public manifestation of issues that have been masked by his status as one of the best players of his generation,” Weidler reported in Fairfax Media.

“It is clear what caused the relationship breakdowns. With Slater, it started with a falling-out between their wives. Slater tried to put that to one side when he heard Smith was going through a rough patch away from football.

“Slater was shut out to the point where the pair have a professional relationship, but no longer a personal one.”

Cooper Cronk brushes Cameron Smith.Source:Supplied

The report indicates the animosity between Smith and Cronk is even worse.

After Cronk’s decision to play-on with the Roosters in 2018 after reportedly previously informing his Storm teammates that he would retire, Smith made a personal approach to sign Mitchell Pearce, who was at that point still undecided about potentially seeking a release from the Roosters.

Pearce was eventually granted a release by the Chooks, but signed with the Newcastle Knights instead.

The Daily Telegraph reported last week Smith’s relationship with Cronk reached breaking point when Smith failed to attend Cronk’s wedding.

Finch also admitted that it appeared “frosty” when they exchanged pleasantries following the Storm’s big win in Adelaide.

A sad end to one of rugby league’s greatest partnerships.Source:Getty Images

“Even though they’ve spent a lot of time playing footy together down there at the Storm and obviously juniors before that, they’re two totally different people,” he said.

“They were never the tightest of mates to start with. Obviously they had a great working relationship, but they never spent every moment together outside of footy.

“Smithy’s got a young family, he’s had that from a young age whereas Cooper’s been single pretty much up until the time he met Tara.

“It did look frosty, though, didn’t it.”

Meanwhile, Storm coach Craig Bellamy has told The Sunday Telegraph he had no idea there was any ill-feeling between his greatest pupils until reports emerged last week.

“I don’t know exactly what’s happened between them,” he said.

“If there’s an issue, you’d like to see them work it out although it’s a personal thing and it’s their own business. I’ve got a really good relationship with both of them and I’m going to keep it that way.”